Refrigerator drawer with cassette filter

ABSTRACT

A crisper drawer for a refrigerator having a refrigerated compartment is disclosed. The crisper drawer includes a plurality of side walls defining a storage chamber, an opening in a side wall to provide fluid communication between the storage chamber and the refrigerated compartment, and a multi-function filter cassette configured to be positioned within the opening. The multi-function filter cassette includes a first filter configured to remove contaminants from a first air flow within the refrigerated compartment, a second filter configured to remove contaminants and/or moisture from a second air flow within the storage chamber, and a central wall configured to prevent fluid communication between the refrigerated compartment and the storage chamber.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/674,201 filed on Nov. 5, 2019. This application is incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates generally to a crisper drawer for arefrigeration appliance, and more particularly, to a crisper drawerincluding a cassette filter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional refrigeration appliances, such as domestic refrigerators,typically have both a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartmentor section. The fresh food compartment is where food items such asfruits, vegetables, and beverages are stored and the freezer compartmentis where food items that are to be kept in a frozen condition arestored. The compartments are generally separated by a partition that iseither vertically or horizontally oriented depending on the specificconfiguration of the refrigerator.

Generally, crisper drawers and storage bins are located within the freshfood and freezer compartments in order to more efficiently organize andcompartmentalize the items stored in said compartments. Fruits andvegetables stored in such drawers and bins release ethylene gas overtime that results in wilting, decay, loss of crunch, and other negativeeffects on other foods stored nearby. Additionally, microbes and excessmoisture also have negative effects on food stored within arefrigerator. Ethylene absorbers are currently used to extend thefreshness of fruits and vegetables stored in the crisper drawer(s) byremoving ethylene gas from the air. Ethylene absorbers for crisperdrawers in refrigerators currently require components that must beadhered to or placed inside of the drawer, which results in the loss ofusable space within the crisper drawer.

Accordingly, there is a need for a housing for an ethylene absorber thatis integrated into a side wall of a crisper drawer, thus utilizingtraditional void space in the drawer. The disclosed housings reduce oravoid the loss of space inside the drawer, in addition to maintainingthe freshness of produce stored in the crisper drawer.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a crisper drawer for arefrigerator having a refrigerated compartment, the crisper drawercomprising a plurality of side walls defining a storage chamber, anopening in a side wall to provide fluid communication between thestorage chamber and the refrigerated compartment, and a multi-functionfilter cassette configured to be positioned within the opening. Themulti-function filter cassette includes a first filter configured toremove contaminants from a first air flow within the refrigeratedcompartment, a second filter configured to remove contaminants and/ormoisture from a second air flow within the storage chamber, and acentral wall configured to prevent fluid communication between therefrigerated compartment and the storage chamber.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a multi-functionfilter cassette comprising a first filter configured to removecontaminants from a first air flow within a first compartment, a secondfilter configured to remove contaminants and/or moisture from a secondair flow within a second compartment adjacent to the first compartment,and a central wall configured to hold the first filter and to hold thesecond filter, and further configured to prevent fluid communicationbetween the first and second compartments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example housing for storing anabsorbent material in a crisper drawer;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the housing of FIG. 1 with a door openedto reveal an interior compartment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the back of the housing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a crisper drawer including an examplevented housing within a recessed cavity for storing an absorbentmaterial;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the crisper drawer of FIG. 4, locatedwithin a housing, showing an exterior projection of the recessed cavity;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the vented housing and the recessed cavityof the crisper drawer of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example multi-function filtercassette and first and second filters;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the multi-function filter cassette takenalong the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a is a bottom view of another embodiment of the multi-functionfilter cassette of FIG. 7 taken along the direction indicated by arrow Ain FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the multi-functionfilter cassette of FIG. 7 taken along the direction indicated by arrow Ain FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a crisper drawer with themulti-function filter cassette of FIG. 7 positioned on a side wall;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the crisper drawer of FIG. 11 with themulti-function filter cassette removed to show an opening in the sidewall;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a compartment of a refrigerator withadditional openings/slots for the multi-function filter cassette;

FIGS. 14A-14C are side views of a storage basket suspended from anunderside of a lid that encloses a top of a chest freezer;

FIGS. 15-18 are perspective views of a breaker formed from flush,end-aligned interlocking segments connected together by snap-fitconnectors to form a sealing surface for a freezer;

FIG. 19 is a perspective schematic of a chest freezer with a hingedfront panel that opens and folds down to serve as a shelf or to be flushwith a sidewall of the freezer;

FIG. 20 is a perspective schematic of a chest freezer with a basketsystem that allows for improved access to lower shelves within thefreezer;

FIG. 21 is a perspective schematic of a counter-balanced cable systemfor use in the chest freezer of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a lock system used on an angled-braker surface of a freezer;and

FIGS. 23 and 24 are perspective views of a removable insulated coolerthat is stored within a housing a refrigerator.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Apparatus will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference tothe accompanying drawings in which embodiments of the disclosure areshown. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

An example of a housing 10 for storing ethylene-absorber packs that isused in a crisper drawer is shown in FIGS. 1-3. In this embodiment, thehousing 10 includes an interior compartment 17 for storing one or moreethylene-absorber packs. Each ethylene-absorber pack includes apermeable, flexible, or rigid container that contains anethylene-absorbing agent to remove ethylene gas that is produced by fooditems stored in the crisper drawer, such as fruits and vegetables. Theinterior compartment 17 includes openings on a lower interior portionthat are configured to accommodate hinges on a door 12, which providesaccess to the interior compartment 17 when opened. In the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the door 12 includes a plurality of open ventson either side of a snap tab 15 that allow air to flow between theinterior compartment 17 (and the stored ethylene-absorber pack(s)) and astorage chamber of the crisper drawer when the door 12 is closed. Thetab 15 on the door 12 is flexible and configured to be snap-fit into anotch on a shelf 16 to secure the door 12 in a closed position. As shownin FIG. 3, the rear of the housing 10 further includes a slot 18 that isconfigured to accept a timer strip that is used to monitor the life ofthe ethylene-absorber packs within the interior compartment 17. Forexample, the timer strip may include a chemical indicator that changescolor after a predetermined length of time after being exposed to air.In this example, the chemical indicator of the timer strip in configuredto change color at a time that corresponds with the useful life of theethylene-absorbing agent. A window 13 on the shelf 16 is an opening thatdisplays the indicator on the timer strip on a front side of the housing10. When the chemical indicator of the timer strip changes color, thisindicates to the user that the existing ethylene-absorber pack hasreached the end of its useful life and should be replaced with a newethylene-absorber pack in order to maintain efficient absorption ofethylene gas within the crisper drawer.

In order to replace an existing ethylene-absorber pack, the snap tab 15is released and the door 12 is rotated on its hinges away from thehousing to an open position and the existing ethylene-absorber packs areremoved. After new ethylene-absorber packs are placed within theinterior compartment 17, the door 12 is rotated on its hinges toward thehousing to a closed position until the tab 15 is snap-fit into the notchon the shelf 16, thus securing the door 12 in place.

The housing 10 is configured to be snap-fit into an opening in a sidewall of a crisper drawer. The back of the housing 10 includes a snap tab14 that is configured to lock the housing 10 into place. To install thehousing 10 into a crisper drawer, a bottom wall of the housing 10 isinserted into an opening in the side wall of the crisper drawer. Anupper portion of the housing 10 (i.e., the portion nearest the snap tab14) is then rotated toward the side wall of the crisper drawer andsecured into place when the snap tab 14 is positioned on one side of theside wall and a circumferential rim 11 of the housing 10 is positionedon the other side of the side wall. Once the housing 10 is snap-fit intothe opening in the side wall, the front face of the housing 10 (i.e.,the face with the door 12) is flush with the side wall of the crisperdrawer, thus maximizing the amount of storage within the crisper drawer.

In a second embodiment, another example of a housing 22 that is used ina crisper drawer is shown in FIGS. 4-6. In this embodiment, a crisperdrawer 20 includes a cavity 25 in a side wall. The cavity 25 isconfigured to store one or more ethylene-absorber packs. A housing 22 issimilarly sized and configured to fit within the cavity 25. While theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4-6 includes a cavity 25 with arectangular-shaped opening, the opening of the cavity 25 could be anyother shape, such as square, circular, triangular, etc. The housing 22includes a snap-release tab along a side portion that is configured tosnap fit within a recess in the cavity 25 to secure the housing 22 inplace, and thus keep the ethylene-absorber packs within the cavity 25.In this example, the housing 22 includes vertical vents to allow air toflow between the storage chamber 23 of the crisper drawer 20 and thecavity 25. By positioning the cavity 25 and housing 22 within the sidewall of the crisper drawer 20, the loss of space within the crisperdrawer 20 is minimized, as compared to ethylene-absorbing devices thatare adhered to an interior surface of the side wall of the crisperdrawer. Preferably, the housing 22 is flushed or recessed in the wall ofthe crisper bin (as shown in FIG. 4) when fully installed.

As shown in FIG. 5, a back portion of the cavity 25 extends from theexterior of the side wall as a protrusion 24. Preferably, the cavity 25is sealed at the exterior of the crisper bin. However, the protrusion 24does not extend past the total width of the crisper drawer 20 in orderto not interfere with positioning of the crisper drawer 20 within arefrigerator.

Turning to yet another embodiment, an example of a multi-function filtercassette 30 that is used in a crisper drawer is shown in FIGS. 7-12. Inone embodiment, the multi-function filter cassette 30 is configured tohold at least two filters 39, 42, one of which is exposed to a storagechamber within a crisper drawer and one of which is exposed to a storagecompartment within a refrigerator. In this embodiment, themulti-function filter cassette 30 provides air quality filtration andfood preservation within the crisper drawer and separate air qualityfiltration to the environment outside of the crisper drawer. Forexample, the filters can include a material to remove contaminants, suchas an antimicrobial agent to eliminate or reduce bacteria, anethylene-absorbing material to absorb and reduce ethylene gas, and/oractivated carbon for unit air freshening, and/or a moisture-wickingmaterial to remove excess moisture and maintain humidity. Each of thefilters 39, 42 can include any one or more of these agents/materials,and the filters 39, 42 can include different agents/materials. Forexample, when the filter 39 is exposed to the storage chamber of thecrisper drawer and the filter 42 is exposed to the storage compartmentof the refrigerator, the filter 39 can include an ethylene-absorbingmaterial and the filter 42 can include activated carbon. In thisembodiment, the filter 39 would provide air quality filtration and foodpreservation within the crisper drawer (including the previouslydescribed ethylene absorption) and the filter 42 would provide airquality filtration to the environment outside of the crisper drawer.

In another embodiment, the multi-function filter cassette 30 isconfigured to hold one filter that is exposed to a storage chamberwithin a crisper drawer and/or a storage compartment within arefrigerator. In this embodiment, the single filter includes two or morefilter medium, such as a material to remove contaminants (e.g. anantimicrobial agent to eliminate or reduce bacteria, anethylene-absorbing material to absorb and reduce ethylene gas, and/oractivated carbon for unit air freshening), and/or a moisture-wickingmaterial to remove excess moisture and maintain humidity.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the multi-function filter cassette 30includes a horizontal top wall 31 and a vertical central wall 34. Inthis embodiment, the top wall 31 includes notches 32, 33 on opposingedges. In other embodiments, like that shown in FIG. 11, the top wall 31of the multi-function filter cassette 30 includes a tab 29 that extendsfrom the top wall 31. The notches 32, 33 and the tab 29 on the top wall31 allow a user to grasp the multi-function cassette 30 for removal froma side wall of the crisper drawer.

In one embodiment, the central wall 34 includes flanges 35, 36, 37 on afront face and corresponding flanges on a back face. The flanges 35, 36,37 on the front face of the central wall 34 are configured to hold thefilter 39 while the corresponding flanges on the back face of thecentral wall 34 are configured to hold the filter 42. The flanges 35,36, 37 may be similar or different depending upon the geometry of thefilter media to be retained. In one embodiment, the central wall 34further includes vertical slots 38 (as shown) on opposing side edgesthat extend nearly the entire length of the multi-function filtercassette 30. In another embodiment, the central wall 34 further includesprojecting vertical rails (not shown) on opposing side edges that extendnearly the entire length of the multi-function filter cassette 30. Thewall 34 can have both slots 38 and rails. The vertical slots 38 or railsare configured to secure the multi-function cassette 30 in place withinan opening 45 in a side wall of the crisper drawer.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show additional embodiments of the multi-function filtercassette 30 that do not include a top wall 31. Instead, the embodimentshown in FIG. 9 includes a central wall 34 with flanges 35 and 36 on afront face and corresponding flanges on a back face. The flanges 35 and36 on the front face of the central wall 34 are configured to hold thefilter 39 while the corresponding flanges on the back face of thecentral wall 34 are configured to hold the filter 42. The flanges 35 and36 may be similar or different depending upon the geometry of the filtermedia to be retained. In one embodiment, the central wall 34 furtherincludes vertical slots 38 (as shown) on opposing side edges that extendnearly the entire length of the multi-function filter cassette 30. Inanother embodiment, the central wall 34 further includes projectingvertical rails (not shown) on opposing side edges that extend nearly theentire length of the multi-function filter cassette 30. The wall 34 canhave both slots 38 and rails. The vertical slots 38 or rails areconfigured to secure the multi-function cassette 30 in place within anopening 45 in a side wall of the crisper drawer.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 10 includes a central wall 34 with flange36 on a front face and a corresponding flange on a back face. The flange36 on the front face of the central wall 34 is configured to hold thefilter 39 while the corresponding flange on the back face of the centralwall 34 is configured to hold the filter 42. The flanges 36 may besimilar or different depending upon the geometry of the filter media tobe retained. In one embodiment, the central wall 34 further includesvertical slots 38 (as shown) on opposing side edges that extend nearlythe entire length of the multi-function filter cassette 30. In anotherembodiment, the central wall 34 further includes projecting verticalrails (not shown) on opposing side edges that extend nearly the entirelength of the multi-function filter cassette 30. The wall 34 can haveboth slots 38 and rails. The vertical slots 38 or rails are configuredto secure the multi-function cassette 30 in place within an opening 45in a side wall of the crisper drawer.

In one embodiment, the filters 39, 42 each include filter material 41,44 within a filter frame 40, 43. In another embodiment, the filters 39,42 include self-supporting filter materials 41, 44 that do not requirefilter frames 40, 43. In one embodiment, the filters 39, 42 areconfigured to snap-fit to the front face and back face of themulti-function filter cassette 30, respectively, within one or more ofthe flanges 35, 36, 37. In other embodiments, the filters 39, 42 areconfigured to be attached to the front and back faces of themulti-function filter cassette 30, respectively, via adhesive orhook-and-loop fasteners on the filter frames 40, 43 or on theself-supporting filter materials 41, 44. The filters 39, 42 areconfigured to be individually detachable and mounted to themulti-function filter cassette 30 in order to allow the filters to bereplaced after reaching the end of each filter's useful life.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the multi-function filter cassette 30 isconfigured to fit into a through opening 45 in a side wall of a crisperdrawer that permits fluid communication between the storage chamber ofthe crisper drawer and the storage compartment of the refrigerator. Inthis embodiment, the multi-function filter cassette 30 is configured tofit in the opening 45 in the side walls 48, 49 of the crisper drawer.When the multi-function filter cassette 30 is positioned in the opening45, one of the faces of the multi-function filter cassette 30 (i.e. thefront face or the back face) is preferably flush with the exterior ofthe crisper drawer. In one embodiment, the opening 46 includes verticalrails 46 that are configured to fit within the vertical slots 38 of themulti-function filter cassette 30 in order to secure the cassette inplace. In another embodiment, the vertical rails of the multi-functionfilter cassette 30 are configured to fit within slots on opposing sidesof the opening 46 in order to secure the cassette in place. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the tab 29 that extends from thetop wall 31 of the multi-function filter cassette 30 is configured tofit within a notch 47 of the opening 45. The tab-and-notch interlockingsystem helps to maintain the positioning of the multi-function filtercassette 30 within the opening 45 and also allows a user to grasp thecassette for removal in order to replace the filters 39, 42. Whenpositioned in the opening 45, the multi-function filter cassette 30effectively completes the wall 48 and closes the opening 45 to therebyblock the fluid communication of air between the refrigerated storagecompartment and the storage chamber (e.g., between the refrigeratedfresh food compartment and the interior of the crisper drawer).Specifically, the central wall 34 of the multi-function filter cassette30 blocks air from passing between the storage compartment within thecrisper drawer and the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator. Whenfully installed, the filter 42 is exposed to the interior of the crisperdrawer and the filter 39 is exposed to the fresh food compartment of therefrigerator.

In addition to use within a crisper drawer, the multi-function filtercassette 30 may also be used in other areas within a refrigerationappliance. As shown in FIG. 13, the cassette 30 may be incorporated intoother compartments within the refrigeration appliance, such as anopening or slot 202, 204, 203 within a deli drawer, fresh drawer, orsidewall of the appliance, respectively. Other compartments within therefrigeration appliance may include an opening that is sized to receivethe cassette 30.

Additionally, the cassette 30 may be used in a opening or slot 200, 201on a door or a door compartment, respectively, of the refrigerationappliance. A wall of the door of the refrigeration appliance may includean opening or slot 200, similar to the opening 45 shown in the crisperdrawer of FIG. 12, wherein the cassette 30 may be placed in order toexpose a filter to the interior space of the refrigeration appliance. Inother embodiments, the door may include a compartment, such as a buttercompartment, that features an opening or slot 201 wherein the cassette30 may be placed. In other embodiments, the door or door compartment mayinclude rails that are configured to receive the cassette 30.

In other embodiments, a support structure that forms a compartment mayinclude a slot or opening that is configured to receive the cassette 30.In one embodiment, an interior wall of the refrigeration appliance mayfeature support structures (e.g. molded portions) that form acompartment on the interior wall. In this embodiment, the supportstructure includes a slot or opening that is configured to receive acassette 30.

In a separate embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14A-C, a chest freezer 50includes a storage basket 51 suspended from an underside of a lid 52that encloses the top of the freezer 50. In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 14B, the storage basket 51 is configured to pivot from the lid 52.A hinged connection 53 allows the basket 51 to pivot relative to the lid52 to maintain the orientation of the basket 51 with its opening 54facing up while the lid 52 is in the open orientation and in the closedorientation, as well as at various positions in between. In anotherembodiment, as shown in FIG. 14C, the basket 51 is fixedly connected tothe underside of the lid 52 and has a constant orientation relative tothe lid 52. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14C, the basket 51includes sides 55 that define an opening 56 that faces upward while thelid 52 is in the open orientation and faces forward, toward the front ofthe chest freezer 50 while the lid 52 is in the closed orientation.

In a separate embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 15-18, a breaker 60 for achest freezer is formed from interlocking segments 61 and 62 that, whenconnected, form a sealing surface 63 for a lid of the freezer. Priorbreaker designs included neighboring segments connected by anoverlapping joint to form a step along the sealing surface against whicha gasket on the lid is compressed while the lid is closed. In contrast,the disclosed embodiment includes segments 61 and 62 that lock togetherwith a snap-fit connection. As shown in FIGS. 16-18, the end of onesegment 61 has a male connector 64 that cooperates with a femaleconnector 65 portion at the opposing end of the neighboring segment 61.When the segments 61 and 62 are connected to collectively form thebreaker 60, a portion of the sealing surface 63 provided to each segmentis end-aligned to be flush with, and abut against the portion of thesealing surface provided to the contiguous breaker segment. Thecooperation between the male and female connectors 64 and 65 locks thesegments 61 and 62 together to prevent the formation of gaps duringthermal expansion of foam insulation. An extruded collar is installedover the joint formed between the two abutting portions of the breaker60.

In a separate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, a freezer 70 comprises atop edge 71 that is hinged to a front wall 72 of the freezer. The topedge 71 is configured to be folded 90 degrees to a horizontal positionto form a shelf, or 180 degrees to be flush with the front wall 72 ofthe freezer. Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 19 shows the top edge71 on the front wall 72 of the freezer, any of the walls of the freezermay be configured to fold down to form a shelf or be flush with a sidewall of the freezer 70. When the top edge 71 is folded down 90 degrees,a user may place items removed from the freezer 70 onto the shelf inorder to access additional items stored in the freezer 70. When the topedge 71 is folded down 180 degrees, the user has easier access to itemspositioned at or near the bottom of the freezer 70.

In a separate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, a freezer lid 80comprises two flaps 81 and 82 for access to the interior of the freezer83. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 20, the flaps 81 and 82 are hingedto the sides 84 and 85, respectively, of the freezer 83. In otherembodiments, the flaps 81 and 82 are hinged to the back 86 of thefreezer 83. An underside of the flaps 81 and 82 includes slide rails 88that are configured to support baskets positioned on the underside ofthe flaps. As the flaps 81 and 82 are opened, middle baskets 87 arelifted to be flush with the top of the freezer 83, thus permitting thebaskets to be slid onto the slide rails 88 of the open flaps 81 and 82.As the middle baskets 87 are lifted, the lower baskets 89 are lifted toa middle portion of the freezer 83 and are thus easily accessible by auser. In one embodiment, the baskets 87 and 89 are lifted via acounter-balanced cable system 90, as shown in FIG. 21. In otherembodiments, the baskets 87 and 89 are lifted via an electricrack-and-pinion system, an air cylinder, or any other system used insuch application. Once loaded, the middle baskets 87 are slid on theslide rails 88 back over the freezer 83, the flaps 81 and 82 are movedto the closed positions, and the middle baskets 87 are lowered intotheir original positions. The closing of the flaps 81 and 82 may becontrolled by an air damper to prevent a hard close and minimalresistance to opening.

In a separate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, a locking mechanism 91for a non-flat surface of a freezer includes an angled rotating latchsystem 92 engaging on a latch catch 93 that is situated at an angledsurface 94. This embodiment eliminates the need to add a bulky latch boxinto the usable area of a freezer and permits a lock to be incorporatedinto a freezer when there is not a sufficiently flat surface.

In a separate embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, an insulatedcooler 100 is dimensioned and configured to be stored within arefrigerator 101. The cooler 100 allows for the transport of cold itemsfrom the refrigerator 101 to another location without having to firsttransfer the cold items to a separate cooler. In the illustratedexample, the cooler 100 is designed to fit within a housing 102 of therefrigerator 101, so that the cooler 100 also functions as storage spacewhen not removed from the refrigerator 101. In other embodiments, thecooler is designed to fit within a cavity or slot within therefrigerator. A user can remove the cooler 100 from the refrigerator 101by pulling on a latch 103 on a front wall 104 of the cooler 100. Whenthe cooler 100 is removed from the refrigerator 103, the latch 103 mayalso serve as a handle to carry the cooler 100. As shown in FIG. 24,wherein the front wall 104 is removed to show an inner compartment 105of the cooler 100, a cold pack 106 is used with the cooler 100 in orderto keep the stored items cold during transport. In the illustratedexample, the cold pack 106 is stored within a side wall 107 of thecooler 100, in order to increase the amount of storage space within theinterior compartment 105. The cooler 100 may also include doors 108, 109that, when closed, form a top wall 110 of the cooler 100. The doors 108,109 include latches 111 that allow a user to open the cooler 100 inorder to retrieve stored cold items therein.

The invention has been described with reference to the exampleembodiments described above. Modifications and alterations will occur toothers upon a reading and understanding of this specification. Exampleembodiments incorporating one or more aspects of the invention areintended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar asthey come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A removable assembly for holding a sachet in arefrigerator, the assembly comprising: a housing defining an interiorcompartment configured to receive a sachet and a pocket configured toreceive a timer strip; and a door attachable to the housing andconfigured to be movable between an open position wherein access to theinterior compartment is allowed and a closed position wherein access tothe interior compartment is hindered.
 2. The removable assembly of claim1, wherein the door is pivotable relative to the housing.
 3. Theremovable assembly of claim 2, wherein the door includes a hinge at oneend and a tab at an opposite end of the door, the tab configured toengage a notch formed in the housing.
 4. The removable assembly of claim3, wherein the notch is formed in a shelf of the housing.
 5. Theremovable assembly of claim 1, wherein the pocket is a slot formed on arear wall of the housing.
 6. The removable assembly of claim 5, whereinthe housing includes a window located adjacent the slot wherein thetimer strip is visible through the window when placed in the slot. 7.The removable assembly of claim 1, wherein the pocket is a slot formedon a rear surface of a shelf of the housing.
 8. The removable assemblyof claim 7, wherein the housing includes a window formed in the shelf,the window located adjacent the slot wherein the timer strip is visiblethrough the window when placed in the slot.
 9. The removable assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the housing includes a hinge along one side and a tabalong an opposite, the tab configured to allow the housing to beremovably secured to a wall of a crisper drawer.
 10. The removableassembly of claim 1, wherein the housing is retained within a side wallof a drawer inside the refrigerator.
 11. The removable assembly of claim1, wherein a plurality of openings are formed in the door for allowingair passage through the door to and from the interior compartment. 12.The removable assembly of claim 1, wherein the sachet is an ethyleneabsorber pack.
 13. The removable assembly of claim 1, wherein the timerstrip is a chemical indicator that changes color after a predeterminedlength of time being exposed to air at or adjacent to the interiorcompartment.
 14. The removable assembly of claim 13, wherein thepredetermined length of time corresponds to a useful life of the sachet.15. A removable assembly for holding a sachet in a refrigerator, theassembly comprising: a housing having a front face contoured to define afirst recessed area and an adjacent second recessed area, the firstrecessed area configured receive a sachet, the second recessed areapartially defined by a wall having a window extending therethrough, thewindow positioned opposite a pocket formed on a rear wall of thehousing, the pocket configured to receive a timer strip wherein thetimer strip is visible through the window when inserted into the pocket;and a door attachable to the housing and configured to be movablebetween an open position wherein access to the first recessed area isallowed and a closed position wherein access to the first recessed areais hindered.
 16. The removable assembly of claim 15, wherein the housingincludes a hinge along one side and a tab along an opposite, the tabconfigured to allow the housing to be removably secured to a wall of acrisper drawer.
 17. The removable assembly of claim 15, wherein a shelfis formed between the first recessed area and the second recessed area.18. The removable assembly of claim 17, wherein the pocket is attachedto a rear surface of the shelf and the window extends through the shelfat a location adjacent the pocket.
 19. The removable assembly of claim15, wherein the sachet is an ethylene absorber pack.
 20. The removableassembly of claim 15, wherein the timer strip is a chemical indicatorthat changes color after a predetermined length of time being exposed toair at or adjacent to the interior compartment.